Let the Hate Haunt Us
Well,
I got my first piece of hate mail today from the Auburn book. I'm actually expecting a boatload of nasty letters, but surprisingly it came from one of my fraternity brothers who suggested that I hang myself.
I sent the e-mail to my wife who all but passed out. It seems she hasn't developed the thick skin that I have over the past six books. I'm not sure if this entry is about hate, thick skin, or tackling difficult issues. Perhaps a bit of them all.
An Auburn Autumn was a difficult book to write, but it's come to my attention that it's even more difficult to read. It seems that some who know of the event may have problems separating themselves from the book and getting under the surface to find out what the book is really about.
I'd expected bricks through my window from some groups, but I never expected suggestions of suicide from my fraternity brothers. This is a good sign. Social change is never easy. Let the hurting and healing begin.
I got my first piece of hate mail today from the Auburn book. I'm actually expecting a boatload of nasty letters, but surprisingly it came from one of my fraternity brothers who suggested that I hang myself.
I sent the e-mail to my wife who all but passed out. It seems she hasn't developed the thick skin that I have over the past six books. I'm not sure if this entry is about hate, thick skin, or tackling difficult issues. Perhaps a bit of them all.
An Auburn Autumn was a difficult book to write, but it's come to my attention that it's even more difficult to read. It seems that some who know of the event may have problems separating themselves from the book and getting under the surface to find out what the book is really about.
I'd expected bricks through my window from some groups, but I never expected suggestions of suicide from my fraternity brothers. This is a good sign. Social change is never easy. Let the hurting and healing begin.
posted by Brian at 3:09 PM
2 Comments:
I came to your blog via your website, which was referred by one of your fraternity brothers on a site called www.greekchat.com.
At any rate, congratulations on all of your wonderful work thus far. I wish you much success.
And take it from me.... you haven't "made it" until your own frat sends you hate mail. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. ;-)
Brilliant!
This book stirred many emotions. I experienced anger, disbelief, embarrassment, frustration, and sadness among others. There were times I was sitting on the edge reading as quick as possible to reach the next word. When I would flip the page to read today’s headlines many times my mouth literally dropped. The twist and turns of the events kept me longing for the next page.
The content. It was hard for me especially at the beginning to hear such racial slurs. Being Non-Greek however still of African American decent it felt personal. As with many good writers, Brian Egeston placed me at the scene, in the moment, feeling, breathing, and smelling the atmosphere. There were times I felt myself breathing hard and just wanting to say STOP! That’s enough. You called me WHAT! Stop calling him that! So yes, I was caught up. I was also taking it personal. Every racial slur was offensive to me. However, somewhere in mid-book going into the finale when the events started to unfold, I began to hear (or maybe just realize) a different twist to it all. One night, after forcing myself to put the book down until tomorrow, I thought about the movie Titanic. I remembered how the writers entrapped my attention of this love story while sprinkling facts and truths. They too pointed out how the rich thrived and the poor just survived. Some facts I already knew before watching the movie….the Titanic did sink. Some facts were bought to my attention during the movie…..there were people who left in boats and did not go back to help others. Some facts and fiction were unclear…..was the love story really true????? I’m sure somewhere on that boat there was a couple who fought to stay together against all odds but one survived on the other didn’t. After thinking about that movie the light bulb went on – I got it. Now grant it, it did take me near book end but I got it. I started to see the situations as a whole. I began to see the points of view instead of each scene as a separate occurrence. I started to think about the acts of pledging and hazing instead of Eric. I thought about old money and old relationships instead of just Bubba Brown. I thought about another generation of hatred, separation, and inequality. By book end I had experienced a roll-a-coaster of emotions, searched myself for the reasons that I was feeling some of those emotions, and opened my thinking to what I’m sure will be much dialogue to come. Truly a breathtaking ride.
In closing I want to say that there are many areas I could applaud Mr. Egeston. Nevertheless, I would like to point out his ability to powerfully express the viewpoint of both sides. In one scene where the character Rusty so clearly voiced his arguments for having the right and freedom to express himself, he was heard. Even though many of us may not agree with what he had to say, Mr. Egeston did give him a voice.
Simply, Autumn Auburn …..a must read.
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